Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you want to combine au pairing with some study, the EduCare scheme in the US places
people with families who have school-aged children and who need childcare before and
after school hours. Au pairs on the EduCare scheme work no more than 30 hours per week
in return for roughly two thirds of the rates paid to au pairs.
You must complete a minimum of 12 hours of academic credit or its equivalent during the
programme year (financed by the host family for up to US$1000).
Internships and paid work placements
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Are you at university?
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Are you a new graduate?
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Are you looking for work experience to land your dream job?
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Want to spend a year in another country?
Taking an internship abroad - either as part of a university course or not - is a good way to
boost your CV, as well as getting away for a year and doing something useful.
There is an increasing demand for paid work placements overseas and many gap-yera com-
panies now offer these. Paid work has always been popular as students seek to top up funds
for the next stage of their travels. But in the current economic climate gaining work experi-
ence has become an important consideration when planning a gap-year and many gap-year
organisations are now in a position to help secure suitable placements.
Some careers, the media for example, are extremely tough to get into, so using your gap-
year to get relevant work experience may be a good plan. You'll have the benefit of
something to put on your CV and also get an idea of what the job is actually like. Intern-
ships are not usually open to people pre-university. Many international companies offer in-
ternships but if you're thinking of the USA you should know:
1.
Internships in the USA can be difficult to get without paying for the privilege, un-
less you have personal contacts within the organisation you hope to work for.
2.
The USA has a strict job-related work permit system and won't hand out these per-
mits for jobs that American nationals can do themselves.
3.
The USA authorities also need to be convinced that the work experience offered
provides an opportunity to the UK student that he or she cannot get back home.
If the companies listed in our directory can't help you, try these websites:
